This is a site to share my birding experiences! I am passionate about birding and hope that this may inspire others to explore the world of birds too!!

BIRDER

Monday, May 14, 2012

Follow that Bird through the Coorong

Last weekend I lead a tour group through the Coorong for Follow That Bird who were visiting from the Eastern states.

the Coorong is separated from the Southern Ocean by a peninsula of sand dunes. It is approximately hundred kilometres of salt water lagoons which are of international significance. Sadly this vital habitat is in serious danger due to the lack of water flow being released in river Murray from upstream. The lack of flow reaching the Murray Mouth and lower lakes is having a significant impact on the bird life, especially the migratory waders.

Our group explored various locations between Meningie and Salt Creek. Apart from the birding we also enjoyed a meal of Coorong Mullet and damper with Muntries jam at the Wilderness Lodge.

It was also a privilege to be able to spend more time with Uncle Tom, an Aboriginal Elder, learning about the Ngarrindjeri, an Aboriginal nation of 18 language groups who inhabit the Lower Murray & Coorong. They are the descendants of Ngurunderi, one of the main ancestors of the Dreaming, and their totem is the Australian Pelican. Therefore they take protecting the Pelican and their other totems very seriously, hence their passion to protect the Coorong.

Halite Lake at Salt Creek

The samphire vegetation is beautiful and we enjoyed exploring the various plants.

While birding at Salt Creek a flock of over 200 Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo flew overhead. A magnificent sight!

21 Hooded Plover were seen on a salt lake which was magnificent!

The Coorong is a very special place which really needs to be protected. If you also care about it, please write to the Minister for Environment and voice your concerns about the lack of water being allocated to reach the Murray Mouth and Lower Lakes!

Kay Parkin

Kay Parkin

Do you want to start bird watching?

Birding is a great hobby and can be done easily and without much expense. You can simply go for a walk and take note of the birds you see! If you are new to birding you may not know what the birds are called so I'd suggest carrying a note book so you can make some notes on their colour, size and markings so you can then identify them when you get home.

To identify them you can use an Australian Bird Field Guide - I'd suggest Pizzey, otherwise you can use a website which has photos of Australian birds such as www.bushpea.com

You can start listing every species of bird that you see. You will be surprised at how quickly your total increases. It is so much fun and you could encourage your family and friends to join you.

You will need a pair of binoculars - 10 x 40 is a good size. I use Nikon Monarch but try them out in the shop to get a light pair that suits you.

Birder

About Me

I have a passion for conservation and am obsessed with birding. I gained my Bachelor of Conservation in 1995.
I have worked for National Parks, The Investigator Science Centre, Adelaide Zoo and Uni SA's Environmental Science Dept.
My passion is interpreting Conservation in order for people to understand and want to protect the environment.